Timothy Bishop

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Costello for yielding time. And I want to thank Congresswoman McCarthy for her leadership on this issue. I rise in support and as a cosponsor of H. Res. 1401, expressing our gratitude for the excellent work performed by our Nation's air traffic controllers who keep the traveling public safe. I am proud to represent many of the Nation's nearly 16,000 air traffic controllers. They are often the unseen heroes of our Nation's airways. Their unique skills and training keep our travel in the United States and around the world safe and on time. In the New York metropolitan area, among the world's busiest regions for air transportation, air traffic controllers work tirelessly 365 days a year to ensure that parents will see their children for holidays, that businesses depending on air travel will continue to thrive, and that your packages arrive on time. Mr. Speaker, we should not overlook these men and women who are a critical link in our domestic and international transportation network. Indeed, they deserve our thanks. I commend them for their hard work, and I ask my colleagues to support this important resolution.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise with sadness following the passing of Celestino Gambino, proprietor of La Parmigiana Restaurant in Southampton, NY and a beloved member of the community that I have the privilege of representing. Celestino Gambino emigrated to the United States from Palermo Sicily, with little money and speaking no English, to make a better life for himself, his wife Josephine, and their seven children. He kept his family together, and with them and a lot of hard work, he built one of the most successful businesses on the East End of Long Island. He was devoted to his family, to his church and to his community, and he became a beloved figure in Southampton. On July 1 Mr. Gambino passed away at the age of 73. Celestino Gambino opened La Parmigiana, or ``La Parm'' as it is affectionately known, in 1974 as a small pizza parlor, but over the years it became a Southampton mainstay. Located on Hampton Road in the heart of Southampton Village, La Parm is a family restaurant serving plates piled high with Italian food, such as their traditional Sicilian dishes, Penne alla Norcina and Margarita con Melenzane. A specialty shop in the restaurant sells Italian olive oil, La Parm's own sauce and salad dressing, pastries, pastas and other items. As delicious as the food is, the true draw of the restaurant was the fact that patrons knew they would see Mr. Gambino, smoking his pipe and wearing his white apron, when they visited his restaurant, and if not him--then one of his family members. All of his children and several of his grandchildren work in La Parm, and all of them help give it the friendly, welcoming atmosphere it is known for--even when the pick-up counter is jammed with people waiting for their orders on a Friday night. People knew they could count on Mr. Gambino to give them good, quality service, whether they were ordering a slice or sitting down to a family meal. It is a place of Old World charm, with good food for a good value. Mr. Gambino once said that the restaurant sold 20,000 pizza pies a year. But as busy as the restaurant kept him, Celestino Gambino always had time for people. He always took the time to listen and find a way to help, quietly and without fanfare. He was a gentleman, considerate and kind, and he was respected for that. In good times and in hard times, he kept his family together. On Mondays, the only day the restaurant was closed, the family would gather at his home far a family meal. He would always sit at the head of the table surrounded by his wife, their seven children and 19 grandchildren. On Sundays he made dinner for the priests at his church, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Roman Catholic Church. The Gambino family is a shining example of the hard work, family love, and generosity of spirit that have made this country great. With the death of Celestino Gambino, we have lost a bit of Southampton, but we know that his family will carry on the traditions he established at the place he owned and operated for 36 years, and in them he will live on and we will be constantly reminded of the values for which he stood.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the coming Independence Day holiday, I note with sadness that more American teenagers are killed in auto accidents over the July 4 weekend than any other time of the year. From 1995 to 2006, over 76,000 Americans between 15 and 20 years of age died in motor vehicle crashes, an average of 122 teenage deaths per week. Parents can't always be in the passenger seat; but we, as a Nation, can help our teens drive safely through graduated driver's license programs which allow young drivers time to develop their skill and road awareness before they receive a full unrestricted license. Graduated driver's license programs save lives. California saw a 40 percent drop in passenger deaths and injuries resulting from crashes involving 16- year-old drivers in the first 3 years after adopting a graduated driver's license program, and other States have seen similar results. I have introduced bipartisan legislation that would require States to introduce graduated driver's licenses informed by best practices from existing State programs, and I urge my colleagues to support it. I also urge all Americans, especially teenagers, to make an effort to drive safely this weekend.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the publication Dan's Papers, celebrating its 50th anniversary as a purveyor of culture and a staple of community life on Eastern Long Island. Dan's Papers was first published on July 1, 1960, by Dan Rattiner, who was at the time a junior at the University of Rochester. Dan's impetus for creating Dan's Papers stemmed from a desire to create a fun, light-hearted, and welcoming publication for tourists visiting Suffolk County, New York. Gathering a devoted following, Dan's Papers was instrumental during a 1967 protest to prevent the U.S. Coast Guard from allowing the historic Montauk Point Lighthouse to fall victim to the eroding cliffs on which it is perched. Through the efforts organized by Dan's Papers, not only was the lighthouse saved, but the community was united in a common cause. Dan worked individually for the first six summers of Dan's Papers, writing, editing, and crafting his newspaper to entertain residents and tourists alike. As populations grew and the demographics of the South Fork began to shift, so too did the scope of Dan's Papers, providing articles, editorials, and updates on the visitors and inhabitants of the East End. Madam Speaker, Dan's Papers has played an important role in helping to promote the iconic culture of Long Island's South Fork and has personified the American spirit of creativity and community for five decades. I am proud to congratulate Dan's Papers on its 50th anniversary and join eastern Long Island in wishing the publication success in the future.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express heartfelt best wishes on the occasion of the 90th birthday of Nicholas V. Martino, a man who exemplifies a life of hard work, service to his country, and close family ties. Mr. Martino worked for 40 years as a master mechanic for American Construction in Hartford, Connecticut. Now retired, he lives in Westhampton, New York with his daughter Anne Marie Spinner, his son-in-law Guy Spinner and their two children, Adam and Nicole. He enjoys spending time with them as well as with his daughter Janet Tyler, son-in-law Lee Tyler and their daughter Meredith. Born in Hartford on June 8, 1920, Mr. Martino served from 1942 to 1946 in the Army Air Corps as a Tech Sergeant working on B-25's and B- 26's, both medium-sized bombers. The B-25 first gained fame as the bomber used in the 18 April 1942 raid in which sixteen B-25Bs attacked mainland Japan four months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The mission gave a much-needed lift in spirits to the Americans, and alarmed the Japanese who had believed their home islands were inviolable by enemy troops. On September 30, 1950, he married Marie Candela who passed away in 1989. The couple had two daughters, Janet and Anne Marie. After his discharge from the Army, Mr. Martino continued a life-long interest in mechanics both at his job at American Construction and in his spare time. For years, he maintained a garage and truck filled with all kinds of tools for his many projects, and he still enjoys tinkering with hands-on projects with his son-in-law Guy. I would like to extend my congratulations to Mr. Martino and wish him a happy 90th birthday as he celebrates with his family and friends.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the intellect and dedication of Sergeant Thomas L. Collins, a lifelong resident of East Hampton, New York, who received a medal and certificate of recognition from the British government for his service as a cryptologist during WWII. So secret was his work during the war, Sgt. Collins' invaluable contributions were not recognized and made public until the 1990s. After distinguishing himself during training at Arlington Hall, the U.S. cryptography center, he was chosen to escort the Allies' most advanced code-breaking machine, the Dragon, to Britain in 1944. Sgt. Collins carried a loaded Smith & Wesson revolver at all times during his journey, a testament to the dangerous nature of his mission and the valuable cargo he guarded. In October 1944, after landing in Scotland, he and the Dragon were transported by rail and truck to the renowned Allied cryptography center at Bletchley Park, and immediately put to use as Allied forces had their first battle on German soil, at Aachen. All told, Sgt. Collins used the Dragon to decode 143 Nazi messages. He was also instrumental in designing a successor to the original Dragon, which was credited with hastening the defeat of the Nazis by many weeks. Madam Speaker, heroism has many faces, and the labors of dedicated code breakers hundreds of miles from the front lines saved many lives by providing our fighting forces the best intelligence available. Sgt. Collins is a living reminder of the varied contributions made by members of the Greatest Generation in defending freedom. I humbly join the British Government in honoring the wartime service of Sgt. Thomas L. Collins.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today humbly and with profound sadness to mark the death of Army First Lieutenant Joseph Theinert, who was killed in action in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan on June 4th. A resident of Sag Harbor, in my Congressional district, Lt. Theinert graduated from Shelter Island High School in 2004. He distinguished himself in athletics, was Student Council president and was crowned king of his senior prom. Deeply affected by the September 11th attacks, Lt. Theinert earned a BA degree from the University of Albany in 2008 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in May 2008 through the Siena College Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He had been deployed for one month in Afghanistan, attached to 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. Lt. Theinert was leading his platoon on a mission in Kandahar Province when they came under hostile fire and were forced toward an area mined with IEDs, according to his commanding officer. He disabled one IED and started to disarm a second one when the trigger mechanism sounded; however, he was able to warn the twenty men under his command to get back before the device exploded. Lt. Theinert was the only soldier killed in the incident, and his final heroic and selfless act fulfilled the responsibility of an officer to keep his men safe and in the fight. I offer my deepest condolences to Lt. Theinert's mother and stepfather, Chrystyna and Frank Kestler of Mattituck and Shelter Island; and to his father and stepmother, James and Cathy Theinert of Sag Harbor. I also join these closely-knit Peconic Bay communities in mourning the loss of a young citizen of enormous potential, and note with a heavy heart that two sons of the small village of Sag Harbor have made the supreme sacrifice since September 11th. Madam Speaker, among Lt. Theinert's possessions, his family found a memory book entitled: ``My Life by Joseph Theinert.'' I read the noble sentiments he inscribed on its inside cover into the Record of this House, in the hope that others may draw inspiration from them, as I have: The years of our youth that we will never forget. When life was simple and all we knew was love. The people in this book is why I choose to fight. It is for them that I am willing to lay down my life. There is nothing glorious about war, but I will go to it to keep the people I love away from it. 9/11, Never Forget.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1353) supporting the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid Awareness Month to raise awareness of student financial aid, as amended.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1353 into the Record.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 1353, which expresses support for the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid Awareness Month. This month is an important part of increasing awareness of the many financial aid options available to young people who are preparing to go to college. With the cost of college rising rapidly every year, it has become increasingly critical that students take full advantage of their options for financial aid, including those of grants, loans, and scholarships. The passage of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, and of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 have all increased the amount of aid available and have improved access to student aid for millions of students and their families. Student Financial Aid Awareness Month helps students and their families get the information they need to make important decisions about financing their postsecondary education. High schools and colleges across the country celebrate Student Financial Aid Awareness Month by providing critical information, aid application deadlines, FAFSA application workshops, money management tips, advice on applying for scholarships, and student loan repayment options. In 2008, 67 percent of students graduating from 4-year colleges and universities, or 1.4 million students, had student loan debt. The average debt level for these graduating seniors was $23,200 in 2008. With an increasing reliance on student debt to finance postsecondary education, it is important that students and their families have the information they need to make responsible borrowing decisions. Student Financial Aid Awareness Month helps achieve this goal. Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for celebrating Student Financial Aid Awareness Month at schools across this country and for all of the benefits this focused effort brings to help families across the country in their pursuits of higher education. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I join Dr. Roe in urging my colleagues to vote for this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, as a proud graduate myself of Jesuit College, I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1161) honoring the Centennial Celebration of Women at Marquette University, the first Catholic university in the world to offer co-education as part of its regular undergraduate program.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1161 into the Record.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1372) honoring the University of Georgia Graduate School on the occasion of its centennial.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1372 into the Record.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1372, honoring the University of Georgia Graduate School on the occasion of its centennial. The University of Georgia's motto, ``to teach, to serve and to inquire into the nature of things,'' has been guiding students at this outstanding institution for over 100 years. However, it was not until June of 1910 that the University of Georgia formalized its graduate education practice when it established its graduate school where students were offered an opportunity to continue their education. Throughout these past 100 years, the graduate school has dedicated itself to becoming a leading educational institution and an outstanding academic and scientific research center. While the graduate school started off with a mere seven students in 1910, today there are more than 7,000 scholars in the program. The extraordinary and successful growth of the graduate school is a reflection of the great leadership of the first dean, William Henry Bocock, and today is represented by Dean Maureen Grasso. As it approaches its centennial, the graduate school continues to offer its students excellence in education through more than 350 fields of study and innovative approaches to learning, including assistantships and fellowships for students across colleges and schools at the university, financial opportunities for thesis and dissertation writing, leadership development, study abroad and travel for academic presentations or data collection and professional development seminars. Mr. Speaker, once again I express my support for House Resolution 1372, and I congratulate the graduate school and Dean Grasso on 100 years of excellence in education. I wish the university continued success and urge my colleagues to support this measure. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1169) honoring the 125th anniversary of Rollins College, as amended.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1169 into the Record.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1169, which celebrates Rollins College for 125 years of service and leadership in higher education. Rollins College was founded in 1885 by visionaries from New England who sought to bring liberal arts education to the State of Florida. Since then, Rollins has served as one of the leading liberal arts institutions in the South for undergraduate and graduate students alike. The 70-acre Rollins campus sits along the sunny shores of Lake Virginia in the town of Winter Park, Florida. Rollins has an enrollment this year of over 2,500 undergraduate students and 700 graduate students, and has over 600 full-time faculty and staff. The campus community offers a range of amenities and services, including the Annie Russell Theatre, the Knowles Memorial Chapel, the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, and the Winter Park Institute. Situated just a few miles from Orlando, students have a vibrant community right in their backyard. The students, faculty, and staff at Rollins exemplify its rich tradition and excellence in education. As one of the oldest colleges in the State of Florida, Rollins delivers graduates who are passionate about learning and are active leaders and participants in their respective communities. The college's 10 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio for undergraduates is one way that Rollins is able to offer an engaging academic experience to its student body. Rollins has also been recognized as a national leader in community service, most notably for programs known as ``Service, Philanthropy, Activism, Rollins College,'' or SPARC, a Day of Community held during freshman orientation week. Over 600 first-year students and community volunteers engage with agencies across central Florida, focusing on disadvantaged youth and the environment. This year, Rollins College will celebrate 125 years of providing outstanding education, a significant milestone in the college's history. Mr. Speaker, once again I express my support for Rollins College, and I thank Representative Grayson for bringing this bill forward. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the author of the resolution, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Grayson).

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.